Courses and Syllabi
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.
Art History Spring 2023
Undergraduate
Introduction to the content and principles of the visual arts. Approach varies with instructor. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Introduces themes and imagery in art. Approaches and traditions to explore vary with the instructor. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Introduces study, principle, and understanding of art of architecture. Approach varies with instructor; may be historical, geographical, technical, or thematic. Notes: Field trips required. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Major periods, monuments, and themes of Western art and architecture. Introduces Washington, D.C., museum collections and a historical framework for further study in art history. Covers prehistory, the ancient world, and the Middle Ages. Notes: Designed as a two-course sequence, but each part may be taken independently without prerequisite. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Major periods, monuments, and themes of Western art and architecture. Introduces Washington, D.C., museum collections and a historical framework for further study in art history. Covers the art of the Renaissance, the baroque period, and modern Europe and the Americas. Notes: Designed as a two-course sequence, but each part may be taken independently without prerequisite. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Introduces the arts of South, Southeast, and east Asia. Examines aspects of the culture and history of Asia. Discusses monuments and artifacts in a variety of media and their relation to social and historical contexts. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
History of ancient Greek architecture, sculpture, and painting. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Aspects of medieval art and culture in eastern Mediterranean world. Topics may include late antiquity, early Christianity, and the Byzantine empire and its neighbors. Designed to take advantage of unique local museum resources. Notes: Specific focus varies with instructor. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Studies in architecture, sculpture, and painting in the age of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Study of major movements (fauvism, cubism, futurism, constructivism, surrealism, and expressionism) and important artists in 20th-century painting and sculpture. Focus may vary. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Developments in 20th-century American visual culture across all media. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Explores visual art production since 1980, drawing on regional resources. Examines social, institutional, and political issues in recent art and its markets. Notes: Requires students to work collaboratively and make several field trips, including one Saturday bus trip to New York. Specific topics and assignments vary with the changing art season and instructor. Lecture, discussion. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Art and architecture of Japan, with particular attention to the ways political changes, religious movements, and social developments influenced and shaped those creations. Discusses monuments and artifacts in a variety of media in relation to social and historical contexts. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Internship with a professional arts institution, organization, or individual in the Washington, D.C., area. Project to be arranged by student in consultation with faculty instructor and field supervisor. Notes: Strongly recommended for advanced art history students seeking exposure to professional work in visual arts. May be taken for 3 to 6 credits, or repeated for up to 6 credits. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines history, theory, practice, ethics, and current problems of collecting and displaying art and artifacts to the public. Emphasizes issues central to museums in Washington, D.C., or museums in other locations; focus varies with instructor. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Studies a single topic in medieval or Islamic art. May focus on a particular period, region, or medium, or may explore cultural interconnections within medieval Eurasian world. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Conduct hands-on research with objects and primary and secondary sources. Select particular artifacts, works of art, or group of objects and undertake original research, and bring objects from storage to publication to exhibition. Develops skills in material analysis, critical reading, and academic writing. Focuses on VA/DC/MD libraries, archives, and storerooms. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 9 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Developments in 20th-century American visual culture across all media. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Studies a single topic in medieval or Islamic art. May focus on a particular period, region, or medium, or may explore cultural interconnections within medieval Eurasian world. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Graduate
Internship with a professional arts institution, organization, or individual in the Washington, D.C., area. Project to be arranged by student in consultation with faculty instructor and field supervisor. Notes: Recommended for advanced art history students seeking exposure to professional work in visual arts. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines history, theory, practice, ethics, and current problems of collecting and displaying art and artifacts to the public. Emphasizes issues central to museums in Washington, D.C., or museums in other locations. Focus may vary with instructor. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Topics vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Offers graduate-level survey in academic art history led by an instructor of record, with input from full Art History faculty. Participants review the current field through lectures, focused readings and group discussions with relevant faculty member. Participants may read in more depth in areas of special interest. Provides preparation for MA exams and professional preparation for teaching. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Topics vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
